Demons’ ball a time to celebrate after challenging year

PORTARLINGTON Football and Netball Club’s mid-season ball at the weekend was the perfect opportunity for players, volunteers and supporters to dress up and let their hair down.

President David Silke said the ball, held at Bennetts Winery on Saturday night, was a great success, with wonderful food and local wines, along with live music and a full house.

Mr Silke said it had been a difficult year for most clubs on the Bellarine and that the club was luckier than others to be able to fit in their event.

“After a pandemic-affected 2020 I think everyone was hoping to get through the year without another interruption, but COVID managed to throw a spanner in everyone’s plans,” he said.

“The recent lockdown places a financial burden on all clubs as they lose revenue from home games, as well as the middle of the season being the peak time for functions and events.”

But despite the challenges of COVID, along with a number of serious injuries to several key players, there were some great positives to take from the club’s season so far.

“We have more than 800 members for the year to date, and this season has seen us field 11 junior netball teams, while our junior football program has also seen great numbers with nine teams on the park,” Mr Silke said.

“This is a continuation of our focus on junior participation and is a great outcome for the club’s junior strategy.”

He said with only 16 players on their list from 2019, the Demons had seen an influx of new faces to their football group, bringing fresh enthusiasm to the club, while their senior netball squads had also grown with new faces allowing them to field anE Grade netball team after a late start.

“Off-field we have had tremendous support from the community, with our first home game for the season on Good Friday breaking revenue records, and subsequent home games equally as strong.

“We also recently brought our 100th sponsor on board for the club, whilst major sponsors in G.J. Bradding Heating and Cooling, ARC and Port Phillip Ferries having all recommitted their support of the club for a further two years each.”

Mr Silke said the club had to postpone its major fundraising event, the annual Golf Ball Drop on June 13, but they were looking to reschedule in the offseason.